Cleaning waste lines



Dec. 23, 1941. E. WIKELUND CLEANING WASTE LINES F'iled Jan. 8, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 23, 1941. E, W|KE| UND` 22672-064' CLEANING WASTE LINES Filed Jan. 8, 1940 5 sheets-sheet 2 Dec. 23, 1941. E. wlKl-:LUND 2,257,064

l CLEANING wAsTELINEs Filed Jan. 8, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 De.23, 1941. E ,VWKELUND l l 2,267,064

.CLEANING wAs TE LINES Filed Jan. 8, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet L v Dec. 23, 1941. y E wlKEL'UND t 2,257,064

CLEANING WASTE` LINES Filed Jan. 8, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Dec. 23, 17941 fons-AMNG wAsraLrNEs Edwin iwikelunagchieagofm.

Application VJanuary 8, 1940,:SerialNoSIZM .My `.invention relates .to .cleaning waste lines, such .as `drains, xturesfttings and Apipes Y associa'ted wither forming a part `of'plumbinginstallations.

The principal .object '.of 'the invention iis 'the provision -of "improved means for removing stop- (GRILL-255) movedand 'a pipe may "be "rendered 'thoroughly clean.

In carrying voutmy' inventio'njl may' proceed in several waystdepending upon'thelparticular character-f the obstruction and "the"equipment with which the obstruction 3is lassociated. 'The 'same general 'principle tis utilized, however, whatever the circumstances may'ibe. ".IngeneraLa stopvpageor V'partial "stoppage i ist` associated' with 'a' pipe or Vdrain connected "with 'a piece of equipment 20 such as-a lavatory-sink. Tproceedfin accordance with tmy invention i by ltlosing 'oli :the .entire space which includes the 'pipe for drainn'which the stoppage has occurred :thereby establishing a closed "system, and "flll lthis -space up `with 'Water. .25

I `#then apply a `strong suction *and ithe -material, such aslw-aste matter which is *responsible for the clogging, lis vconstrained fto move in V'accordance with A'the `suctionwhicl'i has'been applied "to Ythe closed system. lthen apply-pressureto-'effect a` reverse movement. 'By1-alternatemovements, i. e.,

occurred,iwithnwater. Irprovidealpump system including va fcylin'der ifand ipiston, the cylinder forming'apa'rt ofthe L'clos'edsystem vso fthat on reciprocation of'the-pis'ton-o'f the pumptheialternate iactions ILtake place zidf the pump yapplyin-g suction, land l'causin'gi-the ywalter T'in l`the :system t0 act V4as la ram against L'the stoppage. As l:the js'toppage is relieved,the-water-'is'fforced `with a-strong jet -action ito Iclean iout lfthe yarea 'thoroughly vin which the ,stoppage "occurred, and, if desirable, additional water, either 'htior cold, *may-be introduced to dthoroughly clean all :parts -of vthe system. lI -also provide Lmeans, as will be described, iorlincre'asing theipressure'on'a stoppage Where suchis required.

ySpecific fobjec'ts *an'dfeaturesof the invention will lbebrought out ini-connection :withithe following description :taken wwith the accornpanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is an elevational vievv'showing 3a preferred y.pump structureV v.of Aa type particularly adaptable for .userinaccordance with my invention;

'.Eig.l2 ,is-an enlarged`fragmentary Vertical section taken through *the pump and `illustrating structural features thereof Fig.,'3 vshows the ,equipment ras'it is employed in accordance with .one .embodiment .of .the .invention jfor "the cleaning f adrain yoigan ordinary lavatory basin;

"Fig."3A is aj'fragmenta'ryplan view .showing the clojsuramember `as appliedto the basin in.'Fig.,3;

,Fig. 4 "shows the 'applicationof vthe invention 'for cleaning .a drain of a sinksuch as an ordinary kitchen sink, which is not provided with an ,overflow.;

;Fig.*5 shows 'the inventionas itis employed vfor cleaningadraimas oa toilet Xture;

Fig. `6 -is v'a plan'section taken on the line.6-6 of Fig. 5, showing some details of structure ofthe 'closure memberiused;

Fig.'7 shows-the manner in which the inven- 'tion -is used fin 1 cleaning -a urina] Xture;

`Fig."8 A'is `-a' planyiew of a form of vequipment usedasa closure'membenas in carrying on the operation?illustratedin Fig. 6,;

'Fig. i 9 is 'a sectional view f thereof taken von the line 9 9 of Fig. 8, looking in the direction of "the arrows;

fFig. l0 `isa plan -view of a closure-member `such as may beemployedrover-certain types of over- 4'flowfoperiings; `varid Y EFiglliisfaisectlonal viewithereoftaken on the `lineIl;|`|IofFig.`10. Y @or iconvenienc'a T shallilrst describe the ,pri-ncipal -portions of thelequipment used'in accordance with lmyinvention and thereafter-show the manner in whi'oh'this equipmentis employed in 'accomplishing-its bjects.

Looking rstaVFigs. 1 and 2,'1 show there a special 'form -of pump structure comprising; as a frameworkY an upper Tcasting member I2,'inter mediate "casting member "13, and lower casting member`l4, between which'cylinders vI6 and I1 arezplacedjtheentire `frame structure being held togetherby means of tie rods l 8.

1 'The upper-cylindrical member i6 comprises a cylinderfdf 4ahand pump Within which apiston lSiisfrepip-focable through a piston rod 22 and handle Z3. The rod 12 extendsthrough a vertical aperture in the upper vcasting member I2, and a :suitable ftype 7of vpacl'ring 'gland 24 is provided to produce fan 'adequate seal. A lower integral cylindricalfprojection 2'6 on the casting member IZser-ve's tofacilitatefthe sealing action, steadies the assembly, 4and'limits 'the upward movement of the -^piston. `It willbe noted that the piston comprises Jia 'stacked assembly of leathers and metal disksfthroughfwhich-a`threaded portion of the rodiZ fextendsfandnuts supplied. above and below the stacked members comprising the piston serve to hold the piston together as a unitary structure and also to mount it on the rod. Other suitable constructions, however, may be employed. I have not shown a gasket or other form of packing between the upper part of the cylinder I6 and the upper casting member I2, but itis understood that suitable means is employed to cause the joint between the cylinder I2 and the casting to be leakproof.

An interiorly threaded boss 21 is provided on the upper casting member I2 for attachment of a suitable hose coupling. This is the sole opening to that portion of the cylinder I6 above the piston I9, with the exception of a bleeder valve 28, the function of which will be described later. A bleeder hole 29, permanently open to atmosphere, is provided on that portion of the cylinder I8 below the piston I9 to permit free operation of the piston.

Concentrically disposed within the lower cylinder |1 is a smaller cylinder 3|. Both of these 'cylinders are sealed at top and bottom except for openings which will be described. Within the gland 34. A head 36 on the upper part of the communicating with the space 31 and the lower part of piston 32. Within the passageway 48, I provide a seat for a needle valve 49. Opening the needle valve 49, therefore, permits hydraulic fluid to ilow from the lower part of cylinder 3| whereby the piston 32 may be permitted to return to its lower position.

Structural details and features described above all cooperate in securing the unusual results which my invention makes possible. To facilitate handling the equipment shown in Figs. 1 and 2, I provide a stirrup 5| secured to the lower casting member I4 whereby to permit engagement by the foot when the pump is operated.

Looking now at Figs. 8 and 9, I show there a body member 52 of general dish shape having an annular flange 53 to which a gasket or sealing member 54 is secured. A pair of interiorly threaded bosses 56 are provided near the upper portion of the body member for the attachment of fittings, and fastening members 51 extend through the body memberfor attachment of the device to an opening in plumbing equipment such as at the drain of a lavatory sink. The fastening member 51 has a hook-like lower projection with an indicating head 58 to show the rod 33 is adapted to engage the piston I9, the

construction and disposition of parts being ,such that when the pistons |9 and 38 are both at their lowermost positions, the head 36 is slightly spaced from the lower nut holding the piston I9 to the piston rod 22.

The space 31 between cylinders 3| and |1 is adapted as a reservoir to contain a supply of a hydraulic fluid, and mechanism is provided for withdrawing the hydraulic iluid from the space 31 and delivering it under pressure beneath the piston 32, and for releasing the hydraulic uid beneath the piston 32 back to the space 31 when desired.

Supported in the frame is a long, relatively narrow cylinder 38 containing a piston 39 oper- :f ated by a rod 4|, to the top of which a knob or hand piece 42 is secured. Suitable means are provided to prevent loss of hydraulic fluid around the piston 39. As shown, the construction of the piston 39 is such as to have a suitable sealing Y' 43 and a passageway 44 leading. as shown, to f the bottom of piston 32. Connected to the passageway 43 is a passageway 46 leading to the reservoir space 31. A pair of. check valves is provided such that, on the unstrcke of piston 39, hydraulic fluid is drawn from the spa-ce 31, and, on the down stroke, this hvdraulic uid is delverpd to the lower part of cylinder 3|. Thus by operating the piston 39. the piston 32 and rod 33 may be caused to rise, thereby applying pressure to the bottom of piston |9 and raising it also against such resistance as may be encountered. It will be noted that an opening 41 is provided a1; the upper part of cylinder 3|. This permits free upward movement of piston 32, but also has the function of acting as a safety in that, when piston 32 clears the opening 41, continued operation of the piston 39 will have no further effect on the piston 32 because of the by-passing of hydraulic fluid into the space 31. It will be noted that there is a passageway 48 direction in which the hook-like member extends. A wing nut 59 is threaded on the shank portion of the fastening member 51, a suitable gasket 6| being provided between the wing nut and the upper surface of the body member. The gasket member is so designed as to t over any minor irregularities which may be encountered, but which at the same time will form a good seal. Soft rubber with some sponge character has been found suitable, provided, however, that it should not have exterior pores.

Another form of closure member is shown in Figs. 10 and 11. This comprises a relatively flat body member 62 with an upwardly extending interiorly threaded boss 63 and a fastening member 64 substantially centrally disposed in the body member and having the same general arrangement and structure as the fastening member described in connection with the closure member of Figs. 8 and 9. The same general characterof gasket is used.

One manner of using the equipment and practicing the invention may be explained by reference to Fig. 3. Here a lavatory sink 66 has the usual lower drain to which a soil pipe 61 is attached. An overow at 68 of generally conventional character is also shown. Assuming a stoppage in the pipe 61, a closure member such as shown in Figs. 10 and 11 is secured over the overow opening, and a ilexible hose 69 is secured between the boss 63 and a water faucet 1|, using suitable ttings for attaching the exible hose at its two ends. At; the bottom of the sink, at the main drain, a closure member 12 is attached, which may be generally similar to the closure member shown in Figs. 8 and 9 except that only a-single tting attaching boss is employed. The

identical closure member shown in Figs. 8 and 9,

however, may be employed and one of the openings therein plugged with a suitable plug fitting. A flexible hose 13 is then attached between the closure member and the upper portion of the pump at the boss 21. The hoses 69 and 13 may be made of a good grade of rubber and fabric, and should bestrong enough to stand relatively high pressures or suction without collapsing. Connections are now established for clearing stoppage of the pipe 61.

agences The `iirst sstep :is to -,completely fnll .the pclosed system which vis:.establishedibi :closing I'thefoyerflow fand :the drain .':open'ing and gsecuririg the hosesi .and Vi3 in position. :Preferablyrstthe handle 23 of `:the :pump `is :raised, :the valve il is opened, 'and the system ,is lledrwith zwater. By pressing: down fonfthe release l:28, :air trapped the line may `be released. "Iii desired, anyrother suitable Loutleti for-the release .oi .air may bef;e.--- ployed, 1suchfas in the-:closure member mounted over the :overnow` opening. `When:theiclosed `sys- .tenthas :been filled .with Water, `the :faucet .f1-.1i may `henlrised, although I mayzprovide 1a rciieck vait-te at :I4 :in 'the hose :69 v.to prevent pressure :on Hthe system from Vforcing Waste water bank '.into the pipe lines. vAtthis'time,zthe handle isfzpushed Adown sharply and this :causes fa sharpipulling or suction `action :on .the #material :which .is :responsibleicr the stoppage. The yhanidie .then 'is immediately pulled upgthereoyproducing a'strong ram actionzonthezmaterial causing ttbm-stoppage and tending .to force iit'through. Several .reciprocations :oi the handle are `preferably treads to entirely clearoutthestoppage; and,',ii 4.the .water is fpermitted to Abe :delivered ;continuou'sly :from the faucet 1:!accomplete :'ushing 'of the :pipe f. er? will take zplace.

Fig. 4 shows an installation such fas :might lhe empl'oyedon a kitchen sink. Herethe drainlis shown at #the bottom and the closure imember, Which `may be identical with that :shownfin :Figs 8 and 9, is secured over the drainopening. In this :iormoi sink, .as fa rule, an overflow is-not providedand, '.accordingly, I Yconnect the hosei 9 directlylfromzthe twin iitting "76 `-to --the 'closure member, the 4hose "i3 :being :connected Ito vthe lpump iand lto vthe 'closure :member .in Ja @manner substantially identical :with that shown 1in connection with-Fig.3. To operate the systemfthe samegeneral method is employeda'sdescribed in connectionwith' the Eig. 3 installation.

-In 'Fig :5,"the invention Ais 'applied to afusual type of .toilet fixture. 'Here Ya Yconnection l''l may berprovided for attachment'oi the `vheise T3 leading to the pump structure vand ior `attachment 'to 1.a ibent :pipe 18 carrying asspeciallysdesigned closure1member`19 :at `thebottomY thereof. The Vother conne'ctionl'tothe 'tting-l is adapted for connection to `a Water supply, land a Fhose connection suchf'as 5S `may be employed, ridesired.

In connection With the arrangement shownn Fig. 5,1it'maybe noted that the bent character of Sthe :pipe "I8 fpermits the closure member '5?9 to :be presented tothe drain-'openingat a suitable angle,v itbeing understood that Ithe speiii'o shape Yof the :drain openings in different nxtures will vary. v'The 'closure member 'T9 `connorises preferably algenerally cone-shaped, soit rubber member having acentral opening'through which thepipe :'18 extends and radialribs, as shownin Fig. 6, to provide strength. `Ii `the stoppage is merely a temporary one,.it may beunneoessaryto employ Water 'for iius'hing purposes. The .fitting 'l1 is .preferably provided With .a .check ,valve ,so that, ,on the pressure stroke .of .the `pump, .the Water willhedelivered with aramacticnthrough the xture 'and .in the V,direction of the :stoppage rather than through the Water connection.

In the arrangementfshowninFig- 7, a urinal fixture 8l having the usual :bottom :drain is cleaned.orliushedibymeversing the closure mem.- ber 'F9 on the pipe 18. The annular portion of the member may be held so as to seal the opening. The same econnection llzused .insF-g. 5 may be used, andtthesame `general meti-'lod of operationimayshezused.

:The description of the reparation Lrmade mere inabove with. respect'fto tlifigf is iin fgeneral :illustrative of #the :method employed independently of :the :x-turefand equipment which may be xencountered. :I '.havefalreadygpointed out that spr-,eferablyfa: suctiomstreke:istV rstzused, vfollowed immediately :byfa pressure stroke V'which hits .the stoppage with ffazram Jfaction ato force -it through. At-timesztheenaturepftthe:stoppeuse fmay v.be `such that alternateisuction rand pressure action, Vthat ispaction which-tends itofmoizerthe @stoppage backwardrandiforwfardftoloosen it, isineiective. At such times, it may he -:necessary to apply fa straight, even V@pressure to force the rmaterial causingfthe` stoppage-.to a 'portion of vthe plumbing system o'ngreaterfdiameter, suon asza standpipe. :In ithisfcase, .the'hgydraulic portion oi the pump `is operated, therebygiving :greater Aapressure 'than :is :possible withl vsimple 'hand action. A single'. movement :of .the v`hydraulic :piston tmay be suiiicienttorelieve thesstoppage, but, ii k'it 1 is serious, fcontinued gpressure :may -fbe necessary to move the waste material along a relatively long line. Under ithese xircumstancesmhe vhydraulic pressure'is release-dbyaoperatingzthev needlexvalve 4ii;thersystern:isklled` with an additionahamount of Water equivalent :to ithatadispla'ced by the .up- Wardzmoxzementeof fthe ipiston, :the va'lve 149 fis closed;andthefhydraulic pistonagain' used. This seriesof pperationsxmaybe continued until the material causing zthe stoppage is lforced entirely i rom :the '1ine.

=It mustiinot :bezassumed ithatiequipment shown and described is of advantage only whenfa'stoppage has ioccurred .which zeritirely stops: or clogs a drain .or Wasteline. rl?ipes,.drai1fis .andthelike which `:have Saccumulated some waste material so that .in .felect 'the sdiameter f of 'the vpipe lor drain is .reducedzmayf-be:cleaned-fout' bytheflushing f action .made possible through the varrangement of the pump sand .closure ymembers described. In this kindofsa filushing yaction,- either hot or c'ol'd Water `V may be employed.

'Another illustrative use may` be fshown "by "considering van'ins'talla-tion of lthe k'general character ofthat' showninFig'S. When-an foverfloW-f opening islprovi'dedin '-a iavatory sink,`there is Very often considerableeaccumlationof grease, soap, hairgandotherforeign materials' in the'line run'- nin'gfrom I`theioveilowopening fdoWnfto the pipe 51. This accumulation'not1 onlyvmay clogup the overow openingbutit fis fifrequentlya 2 source f of bafdo'dors andmay beha source of "iniectionif'it is tnot f-takencare of. By "flushing this opening out, '-for' exampleby Jattaching the hose 13 to "the closure "over the overflow opening,l this 4 portion Vof the sinkvmayibe ltl'ioroughly cleaned.

'It Willbe .understoodthat While 'the types oi closure ,membersshown maylbe `usedyior substantially any '.type 'of installation, stillspecinc details, such as fastening members, .the gasket .-arrangement, v`the shape, `.the number of openings and rthe ilike 4may he lchanged without @departing from thefspiriteandfscope-oit1'ieny'ention. -Furthermore, while I infer -fmostly rto yplumbing ein homes and f apartments, :itfis :to tbe understood that theiirmention may fbefapplied to any `usual types so'f plumbing installations, Whether indus'- trial: orfconventional'home installations, although, to be sure, some adjustments as to some of the fittings may be necessary.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a system for cleaning drain pipes and the like, a pump comprising a cylinder having a single passageway at the top thereof, said passageway functioning both as an intake and outlet, a piston within said cylinder, a piston rod secured to said piston, and a handle secured to the piston rod for reciprocating the piston, the arrangement being such that upward movement of the piston causes a pressure action through said passageway, and means for placing said passageway in communication with a plumbing drain.

2. In a system as defined in claim 1, the addition of hydraulic means for actuating said pump piston on its pressure stroke.

3. In a system as defined in claim 1, the addition of hydraulic means for actuating said pump piston on its pressure stroke, said hydraulic means comprising a cylinder placed below the first-mentioned cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, a rod adapted to engage the first-mentioned piston at the lower side thereof, and pump means for pumping hydraulic uid into the secondmentioned cylinder beneath the piston therein. y

4. In a system as dened in claim 1, the addition of hydraulic means for actuating said pump piston on its pressure stroke, said hydraulic means comprising a cylinder placed below the first-mentioned cylinder, a piston in said cylinder, a rod adapted to engage the first-mentioned piston at the lower side thereof, pump means for pumping hydraulic fluid into the second-mentioned cylinder beneath the piston therein, and means for by-passing hydraulic fluid when the hydraulic piston reaches a predetermined upper position.

5. In a system of the character described, a closure member, means for releasably but firmly attaching said closure member over a drain opening, whereby to seal a drain line from all connections except its normal sewer connection, means for introducing water through the closure member whereby the drain line may be completely iilled with water above a point at which a stoppage has occurred, a pump having a single passageway serving as both an intake and outlet when the pump is operated, and means utilizing said closure member for connecting said passageway of the pump with the drain line, whereby actuation of said pump will serve through water contained in the drain pipe to alternately apply suction and pressure to said drain pipe at a point where a stoppage has occurred.

6. Apparatus for use in a system of the character described, comprising a pump structure having a frame, a cylinder supported vertically in the frame, a piston vertically reciprocable in said cylinder, a handle exterior ofthe cylinder and connected by a piston rod to said piston, means near the bottom of the pump and secured to the frame for engagement by the foot, whereby simple manual operation of the piston is permitted, and a single threaded passageway through said cylinder near an upper portion thereof.

7. Apparatus for use in a system of the character described, comprising a pump structure having a frame, a cylinder supported vertically in the frame, a piston vertically reciprocable in said cylinder, a handle exterior of the cylinder and connected by a piston rod to said piston, means near the bottom of the pump and secured to the frame for engagement by the foot, whereby simple manual operation of the piston is permitted, a single threaded passageway through said cylinder near an upper portion thereof, a cylinder axially disposed with respect to said first-mentioned cylinder and placed below the same, a piston reciprocable within said second-mentioned cylinder, manually controlled hydraulic means for moving said second-mentioned piston, and a connection whereby movement of the second mentioned piston will cause movement of the rst-mentioned piston on its pressure stroke.

8. Apparatus for use in a system of the character described, comprising a pump structure having a frame, a cylinder supported vertically in the frame, a piston vertically reciprocable in said cylinder, a handle exterior of the cylinder and connected by a piston rod to said piston, means near the bottom of the pump and secured to the frame for engagement by the foot, whereby simple manual operation of the piston is permitted, a single threaded passageway through said cylinder near an upper portion thereof, a cylinder axially disposed with respect to said iirst-mentioned cylinder and placed below the same, a piston reciprocable within said second-mentioned cylinder, manually controlled hydraulic means for moving said second-mentioned piston, a connection whereby movement of the second-mentioned piston will cause movement of the first-mentioned piston on its pressure stroke, and means for limiting the upward movement of the secondmentioned piston.

9. Apparatus for use in a system of the character described, comprising a pump structure having a frame, a cylinder supported vertically in the frame, a piston vertically reciprocable in said cylinder, a handle exterior of the cylinder and connected by a piston rod to said piston, means near the bottom of the pump and secured to the frame for engagement by the foot, whereby simple manual operation of the piston is permitted, a single threaded passageway through said cylinder near an upper portion thereof, a relatively smaller cylinder disposed below the rstmentioned cylinder in axial alignment therewith, a second cylinder concentric with the relatively smaller cylinder and surrounding the same, providing an annular space as a reservoir, a piston in said relatively smaller cylinder having a rod adapted to engage beneath the rst-mentioned piston, hand operated pump means for withdrawing fluid from said reservoir and delivering the same under pressure beneath the second-mentioned piston, a port in an upper portion of the relatively smaller cylinder communicating with said reservoir whereby to inhibit further upward movement of the second-mentioned piston when it has passed said port, manually controlled valve means for releasing hydraulic iiuid from the relatively smaller cylinder to the reservoir whereby the second mentioned piston on the smaller cylinder may be returned by movement of the rstmentioned piston.

10. In a system for cleaning drain pipes and the like, a pump comprising a cylinder, a piston vertically reciprocable in the cylinder, a rod projecting upwardly from the piston axially thereof. a handle outside of the cylinder and secured to said piston rod, and a passageway in the cylinder so placed that downward movement of the piston causes a suction action on the system of which the pump forms a part.

EDWIN WIKELUND. 

